The PTE Academic syllabus is structured around four core language skills — Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening — but the test itself is divided into three main parts. Unlike traditional exams, PTE integrates skills: you might read a text and then listen to a lecture on the same topic. This guide breaks down exactly what’s tested in each section, the approximate weightage, and actionable study tips for every task type.
Part 1: Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes)
This section accounts for roughly 50–55% of your total score. It’s the longest section and tests your ability to produce spoken and written English under time pressure.
Personal Introduction (Untimed, unscored)
You have 25 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to speak about yourself. This is not scored but is sent to institutions you apply to. Keep it concise, natural, and mention your goals.
Read Aloud (Weightage: ~12–15% of Speaking score)
You’ll see a short text on screen. You have 30–40 seconds to prepare, then you must read it aloud into the microphone. Tip: Focus on fluency, pronunciation, and natural intonation. Don’t rush. Practice reading news articles aloud daily.
Repeat Sentence (Weightage: ~12–15% of Speaking score)
You hear a sentence once (3–9 seconds). Repeat it exactly. Tip: Focus on the overall rhythm and key words. If you miss a word, keep going — don’t pause. Use the “chunking” technique: repeat small groups of words as you hear them.
Describe Image (Weightage: ~10–12% of Speaking score)
You see a graph, chart, map, or picture. You have 25 seconds to prepare, then 40 seconds to describe it. Tip: Use a template: “This image shows… The key trend is… The highest value is… In conclusion…” Practice with random graphs from Google Images.
Re-tell Lecture (Weightage: ~8–10% of Speaking score)
You listen to a 60–90 second lecture (academic or general). You have 10 seconds to prepare, then 40 seconds to retell it. Tip: Take notes of 3–4 key points and the main idea. Use a simple structure: “The lecture was about… The speaker mentioned… For example… In summary…”
Answer Short Question (Weightage: ~5% of Speaking score)
You hear a question (usually a general knowledge fact) and have 10 seconds to answer in one or a few words. Tip: Don’t overthink. If you don’t know, guess. Common topics: science, geography, daily life.
Summarize Written Text (Weightage: ~10–12% of Writing score)
You read a passage (up to 300 words). You must write one sentence (5–75 words) summarizing it. Tip: Use a single complex sentence with commas and conjunctions (e.g., “Although…, the main point is… because…”). Keep it between 30–50 words.
Essay (Weightage: ~15–20% of Writing score)
You have 20 minutes to write a 200–300 word essay on a given topic (usually argumentative or opinion-based). Tip: Use a clear structure: Introduction (thesis), 2 body paragraphs (reasons/examples), conclusion. Aim for 250 words. Practice typing under time limits.
Take a free PTE Academic demo mock to find out where you stand: Try the demo →
Part 2: Reading (29–30 minutes)
This section contributes about 25–30% of your total score. It tests your ability to read academic texts quickly and accurately.
Multiple-choice, Single Answer (Weightage: ~5% of Reading score)
You read a text (up to 300 words) and choose one correct answer from four options. Tip: Skim the text first to understand the main idea, then read the question and locate specific evidence.
Multiple-choice, Multiple Answers (Weightage: ~5–7% of Reading score)
Similar to above, but you must select all correct answers (usually 2–3). Tip: Incorrect answers cost marks (negative marking). Only select options you are 100% sure of.
Re-order Paragraphs (Weightage: ~10–12% of Reading score)
You see 4–5 sentences in random order. Drag them into the correct logical sequence. Tip: Look for transition words (however, therefore, first, finally). The first sentence usually introduces a topic; the last often concludes.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Weightage: ~10–12% of Reading score)
A text with 4–6 blanks. You drag words from a list into the blanks. Tip: Read the entire sentence before choosing. Consider grammar (noun/verb/adjective) and collocations (common word pairs).
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks (Weightage: ~15–20% of Reading score)
A text with 5–6 blanks. You choose the correct word from a dropdown for each blank. Tip: This task also contributes to your Writing score. Focus on vocabulary and context clues.
Part 3: Listening (30–43 minutes)
This section makes up roughly 20–25% of your total score. You’ll hear a range of accents (British, American, Australian, etc.) and answer questions after each audio clip.
Summarize Spoken Text (Weightage: ~10–12% of Listening score)
You listen to a 60–90 second lecture. You have 10 minutes to write a 50–70 word summary. Tip: Take notes of 5–7 key points. Write in full sentences, not bullet points. Check word count before submitting.
Multiple-choice, Multiple Answers (Weightage: ~5% of Listening score)
You listen to a short clip (30–60 seconds). Select more than one correct answer. Tip: Listen for specific details (names, numbers, dates). Negative marking applies — be conservative.
Fill in the Blanks (Weightage: ~10–12% of Listening score)
You see a transcript with blanks. As you listen, type the missing words. Tip: The audio plays only once. Keep your cursor in the first blank and type immediately. Don’t worry about spelling until the end.
Highlight Correct Summary (Weightage: ~5–7% of Listening score)
You listen to a clip and choose the best summary from four options. Tip: Focus on the main idea, not minor details. Eliminate options that include information not mentioned.
Multiple-choice, Single Answer (Weightage: ~3–5% of Listening score)
You listen to a clip and choose one correct answer. Tip: Listen for the speaker’s opinion or conclusion. The question often asks about the main point or purpose.
Select Missing Word (Weightage: ~3–5% of Listening score)
You hear a recording where the last word or phrase is replaced by a beep. Choose the correct ending from options. Tip: Pay attention to the context and common collocations. The missing word often completes a common phrase.
Highlight Incorrect Words (Weightage: ~5–7% of Listening score)
You see a transcript with some words that differ from the audio. Click on the incorrect words. Tip: Follow the transcript with your finger or cursor. Mark words only when you are certain — there is negative marking.
Write from Dictation (Weightage: ~15–20% of Listening score)
You hear a sentence (3–5 seconds). Type it exactly. Tip: This is the highest-scoring listening task. Practice typing quickly and accurately. Use the first 7 seconds to type what you remember, then fill in gaps.
See PTE Academic mock-test packs and pricing: View plans →
How the sections are scored
PTE uses an integrated scoring system. For example, Read Aloud contributes to both Speaking and Reading. Summarize Written Text contributes to Writing and Reading. Write from Dictation contributes to Listening and Writing. This means strong performance in one task can boost multiple skill scores.
Weightage estimates (approximate):
- Speaking & Writing: 50–55%
- Reading: 25–30%
- Listening: 20–25%
These are based on the number of tasks and their point values. Official weightage is not publicly disclosed by Pearson, but these estimates are widely accepted by PTE trainers.
Study tips per section
Speaking & Writing:
- Record yourself speaking daily. Listen for fluency and pronunciation.
- Practice typing essays under 20 minutes. Use a timer.
- Learn 5–10 transition phrases for essays (e.g., “Furthermore,” “In contrast,” “As a result”).
Reading:
- Read academic articles (BBC, The Guardian, Nature) for 15 minutes daily.
- Practice re-order paragraphs by cutting up newspaper articles and reassembling them.
- Build vocabulary with flashcards (focus on academic word list).
Listening:
- Listen to podcasts (e.g., BBC Global News, TED Talks) at 1x speed. Gradually increase to 1.25x.
- Practice dictation: type every word you hear in a 30-second clip.
- Take notes using symbols and abbreviations (e.g., “&” for and, “w/” for with).
Where to next?
- Take a full-length PTE mock test to simulate real exam conditions: Free demo →
- Explore our PTE preparation guides for each section: Section-wise tips →
- Compare PTE with IELTS to choose the right exam for your goals: PTE vs IELTS →